Molding-machine.



L. J. BAZZONE 81 J. GlLLESPlE.

MOLDlNG MACHINE.

APPUCATIOB man AUG. 18, 1909.

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L.'J. BAZZON! 84.1.]. GILLESPIE'.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION nun A UG.18, 1909.

Patentedzlfuly- 6, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 WZ'A/ESSES.

L.-J. IBIAZZONI & 1. 1., GILLESPIE.

MOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION flLED AUG-l8| 1909.-

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a. 69% 21225 C- 7 Q lliTE STATEg LEWIS J. BAZZONI, OF Sl/VAMPSCOTT, AND

CHUSETTS,.ASSIGNORS TO UNITED SEQ 3e ET JOE-IN J. GILLESPIE, OF BOSTON, MASSA- CHINERY COMPANY, 3F PATIERSON,

NEW JERSEY, A CORPC'EATION OF NEVI SE EY.

MOLDING-DQ165113? E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1915.

Application filed August 18, 1909. Serial No. 513,463.

Molding-Machines, of which the following description, in connection With the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings inclicating like parts in the several figures.

This. invention relates to apparatus for swagingymolding or pressing blanks of suit able material in large quantities to impart a predetermined shape to the respective blanks successively, and is of-special utility when embodied in stiffening devices as the counters of leather or fibrous material used in the heels of shoes, although We contemplate the utilization of our invention in any field for which it is.

adapted by the nature of our improvements.

An important object of our invention is to provide means to compress' automatically each blank, as it is presented for treatment, in such fashion as to impart to it accurately and permanently the desired contour, an other important object being to provide means to receive a supply of such blanks and transfer them automatically, and preferably seriatim, to the aforesaid molding devices, With which the transfer mechanism may conveniently, and preferably will, .be coiirdinated in a machine organized to perform automatically in sequence the operations necessary to transform the several blanks into individually complete articles of manufacture, such as counters, ready for .assembly withthe other parts of shoes.

Among still other objects of notable 'im portance for which our invention provides, is the positive, of each article from the pressing means after treatment, thus clearing the molding mechanism automatically for the reception of'tlie blank to be treated next, and avoiding the destructive action upon both the molding mechanism and the product which has often resulted heretofore from the simultaneous presence in. the i mo-lding mechanism of a blank and a finished article left in its treatmachines for molding suchswift and efficient removal mental position, or incompletely removed therefrom.

A further object tation of the blan tion for treatment 1 there wil i no need for their readjustment by the Op ator durmg treatment, and so we eliminate the delay and expense due to such lation, the opportunities for waste due to lack of skill or errors of judgment, and the possibilities of injury to the operator and to the apparatus which'are concomitants of manual interference with mechanical operations. In making such provision We prefer to provide for of the blanks in such fashion that they will stand in the supply uniformly ready for transfer, and will be so engaged for transfer that there will be a minimum of inaccuracy on account of slight variations in the contour. dimensions and quality of individual blanks.

The various features of our invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vieW in front elevation of a counter molding ma.- chine in the construction of which our invention has been embodied, parts being broken away to reveal other parts more clearly; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation thereof, taken from the left-hand side; Fig. 3 is a right-hand elevation; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, detail view in horizontal section, taken on the line w*-:ct, Fig. 3, showing the transfer device in plan view: and on anenlarged scale; Fig. 5 is a similar fragmentary view in vertical section, transfer devices on the same scale as Fig. 4 and taken on the line re -m Fig. 13, parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, detail view in perspective looking diagonally from left'to right into Fig. *5, and showing a plurality of counter blanks, with their guide; Fig. 7 showing in perspective one of the counter blanks separately; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, detail View in horizontal section on the line X X Fig. 1; Figs. tail views showing-different positions of the nippers, these views being taken from the maniputhe preliminary arrangement of the supply and 9 and. 10 are fragmentary, de-- same point of view as Fig. 2 and with parts of the nipper arm broken away to reveal the nippers; and Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of the barrel cam which operates the transfer head, taken separately.

In the embodiment of our invention selectedfor illustration and description -to permit ready and complete understanding of our improvements, the part designated by the reference numeral 1, and hereinafter called the form; or male die, is one of the members constituting the pressing means, which may be of any suitable construction, the member 1 in the instance illustrated taking the form of a heel part of a last, while cooperating female dies, molds or presser members 2, 3 and 4 are grouped around it in position to be moved into pressing engagement with the workpiece, such as one of the counter blanks 5, (best seen in Fig. 7) when the latter shall have been placed upon the member 1 for treatment. These presser members may be mounted in any suitable fashion and actuated by any,

suitable means to mold the blanks and complete their individual transformation into counters, ready for use in the manufacture of shoes, and as one convenient form of supporting structure and operating means for these presser members we have shown the member 1 mounted at 6 upon a base 7, preferably pivotally to permit a slight kneading action, as will be described more fully hereinafter, the base 7 being mounted in turn upon a suitable swinging frame 8, carried by arms 9 mounted pivotally at 10 on the main frame members 11 while the members 2, 3 and 4 are carried by a head the member 4 being reciprocable vertically between slideways 13 and 14 by the action of a link 15, walking-beam 16 mount edpivotally at 17 upon a cross-piece '18 above the frame members 11, and a pitman 19 connected pivotally to a crank pin 20 upon the gear wheel 21, the latter deriving its motion from a pinion 22 (see Fig. 1)

upon' a shaft 23 driven through the pulley 24 by a belt (not shown) from a suitable source of power, ,and serving in turnv to.

drive its shaft 25. I y

T o impart vertical movement to the form 1, any suitable meansmay be provided, and

. knuckle 27 connected by bolts 28 and between which as'one. convenient form of such means we have shown an eccentric friction device and connections to perimt actuation of the form 1 by thesh'aft25, see Fig.3.

The eccentric friction device comprissa head 26, and an eccentric head the split -eccentric block 29 with bearing 30 is caused to bear against the eccentric pin 31 on the shaft 25 by the action of a spring 32, so that when in the full line position shown in Fig. 3 the compression of the spring 32 will cause a strong friction to be exerted by the block 29 against the side o the eccentric pin 31 nearest the spring and upon rotation of the pin 31 in the Fig. 3, the eccentric device will be carried around inthat direcrection of the arrow,

centric pin 31 turns into the position shown.

in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the strength of the long tension spring 33 is then suiiicient to rotate the eccentric device .26 upward,

against the friction of the block 29 upon the pin 31 into the full line position of Fig. 3 again.

The eccentric friction device is connected by a knuckle pin 36 to a slide 37 movable on a slideway 38, and having an extension arm 39 bolted to the slide at 40, and the slideway 38 for the slide 37 is shown as forming part of a bell-crank lever mounted pivotally at 41 in the frame member uprights 11, the short arm 42 of the bell-crank being connected to the crossbar 43 of the frame 8, .which is actuated reciprocatingly by the eccentric device through the bellcrank, as follows: The parts being in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, rotation of the gear wheel 21 and its eccentric 31 will depress the eccentric device and the slide 37, tilting the bell-crank lever and elevating ment of our invention, by suitable means,

such as, the abutment devices 44 and 45 (see Fig. 1) which present face-blocks 46, inclined relatively to the lineof'movement of its shorter arm 42, pressing upward the frame 8 and form 1, which receives a slight theform 1, being constructed and arranged to be engaged with cooperating inclined portions 47 upon the pressers 2 and 3 respectively, against the form 1, as the latter is forced upward by the frame 8.

Preferably the dies orpressers will have a loose pivotal connection with the head such as that furnished by the pivot struts 48 to permit the cramping action of the faceblocks 46, andthelatter preferably for the same reason are mounted pivotally at 49 upon the abutment devices 44 and 45, which may, and preferably will, be mounted slidingly upon inclined way-blocks 50, being secured thereupon by suitable fastening devices, such as the bolts 51, and having means and serving to cramp the pressers' 62 (see Fig. 1)

such as the springs 52 with adjusting bolts 53 to hold the face-blocks yieldingly up to their work. The dies or pressers may have also an intermediate hinge pivot taking into half round recesses in the die parts 2 and 3 in well-known manner, and this hinge pivot may be movable with, and by, a. slide bar 56' (see Fig. 3) mounted in a slideway 57 on the back piece 58 of the main frame, and connected at 59 with the movable frame 8, so that as the-latter rises, the hinge pivot will move upward, rocking the die parts 2 and 3 about their pivots 4S and causing a preliminary closing movement toward the form 1, while downward movement of the hinge pivot accompanying downward retraction of the form 1 will cause rapid spreading of the die parts to clear the form, and permit the completed counter to be withdrawn. be provided to act against 48 and aid to turn the dies hinge pivot 54 to open them and clear the form. The presscr member l preferably serves as a wiper to bend over the margin 61 (see Fig. 7) of the counter in order to form the flange which is to be engaged with, and secured to, the sole of the shoe, and this wiper may have a simple vertical motion slightly in arrears of the pressers 2 and 3, so that the latter serve to hold the blank firmly in place against the displacing tendency of the wipers action, the wiper preferably having its forward edge somewhat arched as at to cause inward bending and drawing of the blanks margin 61 to facilitate which the latter is preferably notched. as at 63.

lV'e will now proceed to the description of the important feature of our invention which includes mechanism to receive a supply of blanks and transfer the same automatically for treatment, preferably in serics. any suitable device for this purpose the pivot struts 2 and 3 on the coming within the scope of our generic claims. As one convenient form of device for this purpose we have illustrated a ho per 64, supported from the righthand frame member 11 by a bracket 65 preferablywith detachable thumb-screw connections 66, the hopper serving to receive the supply of blanks 5, and we show also a swinging 'transfer arm 67 to'receive the blanks from the hopper and place them, one by one, upon the form 1, for treatment by the pressers 2, 3 and a as already described. The blanks 5 are introduced from above the upright feed chute 68, see Figs. 5 and 6, with which the'hopper is preferably provided, and are shown as nested for uniform presentation and economy of space, heel upward, and with their margins 61 toward the rear wall 69 of the chute, the wall having preferably a feather or guide 70, see Figs. 5 and 6, to

enter the notches 63 of the blanks, engage- Springs 60 may 1 mentthereof with the walls of the notches serving to retard the downward movement of the blanks and insure their proper position, in accordance with an important provision of our invention, iuitil each is delivered to the posts 71, in position to be seized and withdrawn from the chute by the devices on the transfer arm 67, which passes into the chute through the entrance opening '72, see Fig..3 and, grasping the blank, carries it out-through the discharge opening T3, see Fig. 2, operating in a manner which we will describe more in detail.

Preferably a follower block 74, see Fig. 5, will be provided as shown, to hold the blanks downward, compactly nested, with their free legs spread behind the guide posts 71, each blank guiding its following neighbors legs into place behind the posts, and the heel portion of the lowermost blank in the chute preferably being engaged with a suitable supporting device 75, taking the form of a latch in the instance illustrated,

which serves to support the supply column of blanks, normally, in the position shown by a spring 76 coiled between or upon guide rods 77 which are fast at one end in the block 78 carrying the latch and pass through a bracket 79 secured to the forward wall 80 of the hopper, ahead 81 with projecting nose 82 furnishing means to be engaged with a tripping device by which the latch may be withdrawn at intervals to permit the escape of the lowermost blank. Any suitable form of tripper may be utilized, and in the convenient form illustrated a lever 83 is mounted on a rock-shaft 84 rotatable in lugs 85 on the bracket 79 and is provided with a pivoted tripper dog 86 constructed and arranged to engage the nose 82 on the head 81, when the lever swings outward into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5, carrying with it the rods 7'7 and latch 75, thus releasing the lowermost counter blank lVhen the dog 86 reaches this dotted line position, itis above and out of engagement with the nose 82 so that the head 81 dodges quickly back under the dog, by reason of the pressure of the coil spring 76, which forces the latch 75 between the lowermostblank 5 and its neighbor next above, which is the third blank of the four shown in Fig. The blank 5 which has been released will preferably be forced downward positively into the full line position illustrated in Fig. 5, to be grasped and transferred, and to accomplish this down-, ward thrust anv suitable means may be provided, one such means beingshown at 87, which designates a doctor member, mounted pivotally at free end. and having a slot 89 to'receive a guide pin-90, the doctor preferably being weighted as at 91 and having its nose 88 upon the lever 83 near its in Fig. 5, the latch being pressed forward what, the lever 83 is caused to swing forward by suitable means and the pointedv nose 92 of the doctor enters the space between the freeblank and the latch 75 (now returned to normal position), and the doctor, in passing from itsdotted line position any manipulation by the o erator.

presentation of.

to its full line position, carries down with it the free blank, into position to be grasped by the gripper'devices of the transfer mech-- anism.- Inasmuch as the notched portion of.

the heel is the most accurately placed feature of the counter blank, it is to be noted that by our provision of means to position the blanks in the supply uniformly wit h respect to this feature, we insure the proper the blanksrespectively for transfer and treatment, without the need for The actuation of the doctor 87 may be accomplished by any suitable means, and a convenient form of actuating device is shown at 93, which designates a lever secured to the rock-shaft 84: by a screw 94:, see Fig. 3-, and extending at its free end 95 to a position adjacent to the full line position of the transfer head 96, see Figs. 1, 3 and 5, and arranged to be engaged therewith, preferably through the medium of an adjustable set screw 97 so that when the transfer head is swung back to its normal position shown in Fig. 5, it will engage the screw 97 swing the lever arm 93 and rock the rock-shaft 84:, thereby moving the lever.

83 from the dotted lineposition of Fig. 5, where the lever 83 is held normally by action of suitable means, such as a coil spring 98 :into the full line position of Fig. 5, carrying down the doctor 87 and with it the free lowermost blank v5. into position to be grasped and transferred upon the next movement of the transfer head 96 and arm 67.

The spring 98 may be attached to any suitable portion of the apparatus and is shown as having an adjusting screw 99, see Figs. 1 and 2. passing through a bracket 100 bolted at 101 to the hopper member 79. Any suitsee Fig. 2, and articulated at 106, see Fig. 5,

to a lever107 mounted-pivotally at 108 on the head 96 and provided with suitable means,

such as the spring 109, tending normallyto draw down the adjacent end of the lever and force upward the fingers 104 toward the V clamps 102, the fingers being retracted down- 1 ward however when in the position shownL-j:

in Fig. 5 by the action of the inclined face" 110 of a stop 112 engaging a suitable portion, of the lever 107, such as the sliding pin;- shown at 113, the stop being formed on a post 114: secured to a suitable portion of the frame such as the arm 115, see Fig. 3. The I pin 113 will preferably be arranged to en-' gage first a cam face 118 on the post 114. as the transfer head swings back to the 1511111119"? position of Fig. 5, and this inclined cam face forces the pin lengthwise against the action of the spring 119, the spring serving to force the pin out over the ridge 117 of the post as soon as the pin rides up the inclined face 110 to a height suflicient to permit escape into the position shown in Fig. 4 in full lines, and as the pin moves forward to the'dotted line position it stays on the ridge 117, and holds the clamping fingers 104 openv until they pass under the counter margin,

and then the pinescapes from the ridge and. I

the clamps seize the blank 5 for transfer. The arm 115 carries also preferably a guide or abutment 116 to direct the transfer head into proper position to seize the blank, this being accomplished when the transfer head moves forward from the full line position shown in Figs l and 5 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, when the clamping members 102 are above the margin 51 at the heel portion of the free blank, and the finger blocks 104 having been released by escape of' the pin 113 from the ridge 117 are thrown I upward, by action ofthe spring 109, to' engage the under surface of the blank, the latter being embraced and held firmly between the finger block 104: and'clamps 102 during its transfer from hopper 64 to form 1.

In order to insure snug engagement of the transfer head 96 with the abutment or guide 116, we prefer to mount the transfer head.96 upon aslide 219, see Fig. 4, to which the head may be secured adjustably by any suitable means, such as the screws 120, and the slide may have a slot 121 and bolt 122 connection with the fork 123 which we illustrate as a convenient form of bearing for the slide,

the arm as fastened at near the upper end of an upright rock-shaft 1 7, the s: it being to oscillate around its vertical axis in suitable bearings 128, formed in the instance illustrated in brackets 1:29 and 130 bolted to the frame at 131 and 132, this shaft being provided with a barrel cam 133, see

Fig. 3, having a spiral cam groove 134 and a straightaway groove 135. A block136, with roller 13?, entering said grooves, see Fig. 8, is supported adjacentto the barrel cam, sliding upon a shaft or rod 138 held fast in brackets 139, and the block can be moved up and down by a stud 140, extending from a collar 141 mounted slidingly on an upright plunger 142 which is provided with check springs 143 held in place by adjustable collars 144 on each side of the slip collar 141 to maintain the latter yieldingly at about the mid point between the collars 144, the springs serving to take up the shock of sudden movements, and alsoto permit firm pressure without destructive action at various points in the path of the roller 137.

The plunger 142 serves as one convenient form of means to impart downward movement to the cam actuating roller 137, the

latter normally standing at the top of the grooves 134 and 135, downward movement being transmitted to the plunger through the :JiVOt pin 36 of the knuckle 26,, connected to slide 37, and the extension arm 39 bore-d to the slide at 40, the free end of the arm being connected at 145 to the plunger part 146 which may have a. turnbuckle con nection 147 with the plunger proper to fa cili-tate adiustment thereof.

The function of the spiral cam groove 134 on the barrel cam 133 is to cause rotation of the barrel when the plunger 142 is drawn downward .'a'nd in order to direct the roller 137 intothe spiral groove 134, we prefer to provide suitable directing means, such as the switch 143, see Fig. 11, mounted pivotally at the junction point 149 and pressed normally into the position shown, so that the roller 137 will be engaged in its descent and directed into the spiral groove 134, and upon return of the roller 137 through the straightaway groove 135 the switch 148 will yield and'after the roller has passed will return to its normal position. After passing the switch 148. the roller engages the cam shoulder 151 and rotates the barrel cam 133 and its rock-shaft 127 and swings the transfer arm (37 and transfer head 96 around with the blank 5 through a quarter circle to place the blank upon the form 1 for treatment.

Tehave shown, see Fig. 8, at 152 a shell embracing the block 136 loosely, and a spring-pressed pin 155 passing through the shell into the block to connect them normally to form a unitary structure and 153 designates a wedge or wedges operated by a link 205 running to a bracket 206 on the plunger 142, the wedges standing on each side of the pin 155 in position to be engaged withthe head 156 of the pin, so that when excessive strain exists between the plunger 142 and the block 136, as for eX- ample [if the roller 137 becomes stalled in the groove 134, the wedge surfaces will act to pull the pin 155 out against the actio of its spring, and the shell 152 can mov with the plunger, free of the block 136. The pin 155 will reenter the block 136 automatically, and connect the shell and block for normal movement with the plunger so that the plunger will actuate the roller 137 and cam 133, as described. There is a short dwell preferably in the cam groove 134 at 158, corresponding to the time of emplacement of the blank upon the form 1, and at the lower end of the barrel cam the reverse spiral groove portion 159 merges again into the straightaway return portion 135, so that when the plunger moves upward the roller 137 enters, and travels in, the straight groove 135 and the transfer head remains undisturbed in the full line position shown in'Figs. l to 5'inclusive, to which it has been swung by the reverse spiral portion 159 of the barrel cam groove134.

There now remains to be described the means for removing the completed counter automatically from the presser devices, and any suitable means may be adopted to accomplish such removal but as it is desirable that this automatic removal should be positive, rapid and sure in operation and as these advantages cannot be secured with apparatus for structed, we have provided a novel form of mechanism to accomplish this important operation. Thepreferred form of construction is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 9 and 10, in

which we have shown at 160 a leverarm length hereinafter. Briefly stated, in the in-' stance'illustrated, the nipper 164 is mounted pivotally at 166, and the nipper 165 is so connected with it that the nippers stand open normally, as shown in Fig. 9, when the arm 160 is thrown upward to grasp and withdraw the completed counter. \Vhen so thrown the nipper 164 is caused to strike the form 1, as shown in Fig. 10, and is insinuated between the form and the counter flange 61 being thereupon. rotated on its pivot 166, closing the nippers upon the flange in which position the nippers are held by the action of a dog 167 mounted pivotally at 168 upon the lever 160 and held, see Figs. 9 and 10, by a spring 169 in position to enter into engagement with a shoulder 170 of the nipper 165. The dog 167 is disengaged by a stop 171, see Fig. 2, projecting upward from the frame 8, to permit the discharge of the completed counter from the grasp of the nippers when they return to the position indicated in Fig. 2 after removing the counter from the form 1.

Any suitable means may be adopted to actuate the arm 160, and as one convenient form of such means we have shown the shaft 161 carrying the nipper .arm as provided with a pinion 17 2, see Fig. 1, meshing with a pinion 17 3 fast upon a shaft 174, the shaft 174 being connected by a crank arm 175 and slotted link 176, with a-screw pin 177 on, and movable with, the arm 9- of the frame 8, a similar link 178 with slot 179 serving to connect the yoke 162 with a pin 180 at the joint between the arms 9 and 181 of the frame 8, so-that as-the frame 8 is raised the pins 177- and 179 move the links 176 and 178 upward, and in this upward motion the pinions 172 and 173 participate substantially without rotation relatively to each other, until a latch 182, mounted on a shaft 183 in bearings 184 on the frame member 11, is caused by its spring 185 to engage .a trigger or extension 186 of the lever 175,

holding the same so that further movement upward of the yoke 162 rotates the pinions 172 and 173, winding up acoil spring 187,

on, and connected with, the shaft 161,v the tendency of this spring being normally to rotate the shaft 161 and throw the arm 160 u into the position of Fig. 10, the pinion 17 3 acting as a segmental track or fulcrum for the pinion 172 as the latter rotates with the shaft 161, when the latter is so acted upon by the spring 187.

Near the upper end of the arc of movement of the nippers, the nipper 164 is engaged with the form 1, as shown in Fig. 10,

and the edge of the nipper enters beneath the sole flange or margin 61 of the finished counter, which has been bent over by the wiper 4. The nipper 165 follows the nipper 164 into engagement with the counter on the opposite side of the margin 61 which is thus grasped between the nippers, and the spring dog 167 holds the nippers firmly together until the nipper arm 160 has been drawn back to the position illustrated in Fig. 2. The upward throw should occur as soon as the form 1 begins to retreat, following separation of the mold parts 2 and 3, upon commencement by the frame 8 of its descent, and to release the trigger extension 186 of the arm 175 which controls the pinion 173 and thus permit the spring 187 to act, we have shown a hook 188 mounted upon and movable with the arm 9 of the frame8, to engage a shoulder 189 on the latch 182 and trip the same as the frame member 9 begins to descend; Then the arm 160 is drawn back by the .link178 until the dog 167 is ention illustrated in gaged by the stop 171 and the counter is discharged. A slot 179 in the end of the link 178 permits the frame 8 to start its de.- scent somewhat in advance of the nipper arm, so that the presser devices 2, 3 and4 61m the counter before the nipper draws it from the form 1, for discharge when, as described, the yoke 162' is drawn of Fig. 2 by the link 17 8. is reset at the same time, of the latch 182, by downward draft of the link 176 upon the lever 175. I

In the preferred form of'nippers illustrated, the nipper 164- is provided with a pivot as at 166, preferably, and in this instance the pivot 166 is mounted directly on the arm 160, so that the nipper 164 has a down a) the position The trigger 186 under the action 5 simple rotative movement, while the nippei 165 derives its nection 191 with a link 192 carried rotatably upon a pivot 193 on the arm 160, so that the nipper 165 may be given a body movement, parallel to the nipper 164 and away therefrom into the position illustrated in Fig. 9, to leave the nipper 164 free and clear for entrance behind the counter flange 61, into engagement with the form 1, which its engagement with. the form 1 swings the pin 196 outward, and'advances the pin 195, imparting motion to the nipper 165 in arallelism with link 192 draws the nipper 165 inward toward the nipper 164, into the position shown in Fig. 10 when the dog 167 is forced by the the nipper 164, until the support from a pivotal conspring 169 into engagement with the shoulder 170 of the nipper 165, holding the nippers clamped upon the counter flange 61. When the dog 167 is engaged with the stop 171 see Fig; 2 and withdrawn from engagement with the shoulder 170 the nippers will fall apart by their own weight, I

the action of which may be augmented by suitable means such as the spring 199, running from the pivot 168 to a hook 200 on the nipper 165.

The operation of our improved machine is as follows: The parts being in the posiof blanks 5 in the chute 64, the main driving shaft 23 is set in motion and turns the pinion 22,"gear wheel 21, see Fig. 3, and eccentric pin 31 in the direction of thearfriction of the' pin 31 within the row, the block 29 serving to turn the eccentric knuckle 26 downward, carrying with it the slide 37, arm 39- and plunger 142 which op crates the roller 137 through the medium 30 71-20 Flgs. 1-5 with a supply walking beam 16, pitman 19 see Fig. 1, of the block 136, post 140 and collar 141, the roller being directed into the spiral groove 134: by the switch 118, and further descent of the plunger 14:2 and roller 137 causes left hand rotation of the barrel cam 133 and its vertical rock-shaft 127 and this swings the transfer arm 67 around through an arc of about ninety degrees, carrying the transfer head 96 from its full line position first to its dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, where the finger blocks 10% are released and are thrown by the spring 109 to clamp the lowermost free blank 5 against the clamping members 102, the swinging movement of the transfer head 96 being then continued to carry the blank around for emplacement upon the form 1, at which time the roller 137 is opposite the dwell 158 in the spiral cam groove 134, see Fig. 3. During this downward movement of the slide 37 to draw down the plunger 142 it swings forward the slideway arm 38 of the bell-crank lever and forces upward the arm 42 which is connected by a shaft 13 to the frame 8 carrying upward the form 1 to engage the presser devices 2 and 3 and the swinging movement of the frame 8 may be utilized to impart to the form 1 a kneading motion within the surrounding pressers 2, 3. and 4, the wiper 1 now having been forced down by the link 15, actuated by the and crank pin 20 on the gear wheel 21, the wiper working past the forward or sole face of the form 1 to bend the margin 61 of the blank 5 thereover, as such a kneading motion insures the thorough working of the flange against the inner face of the wiper 4 to give the flange a permanent set at the desired angle to the heel portion'of the counter.

As the plunger 142 continues its descent, the roller 137 traverses the reverse spiral groove portion 159 of the barrel cam 133, turning the latter and its shaft 127 rightward, and pulling the transfer head away from the margin 81 ofthe blank 5, which is held by the pressers 2 and 3 against the form 1 with sufficient force to overcome the clamping action of the spring 109 and to hold the blank on the form, as the transfer head is now returned to its full line position, see Fig. 5, resetting the lever 107 and its clamping fingers 104 by engagement of the pm 113 with the stop 112, and also throwing the arm. 95 by means of the screw 07 to rock the shaft 84,turn in the lever 83 and actuate the doctor 87 to press the next blank 5 downward into position to be clamped and withdrawn bythe transfer heard, the blank having been released at the previous transfer movement of the transfer head, which left the screw 97, arm 95 and spring 98 free to turn the rock-shaft 84: and to swing out the lever 83, bringing its dog 86 into engagement with the nose 82 of the of center of the pin 31 to the dotted circle position, which reduces the compression of the spring 32 and the slide 37 is thereupon drawn upward by the spring 33, DSC11131). ing the slideway arm 38 again to work the form member 1 and loosen the counter 5, which by this time has been partly released provided with a cushion 203 by withdrawal of the wiper 4 under the draft of the pitman 19 as the crank pin 20 passes the upper point of its path, .and begins to descend. Concurrently with ascent of the slide 37, it carries upward the plunger 142 with the block 136 and the roll 137 travels up the straightaway groove 135 of the barrel cam 133 without rotatingthe latter, and at this time, the transfer head 96 having been withdrawn the nipper arm 160 1S thrown into operation by retraction of the slide arm 38, downward movement of the frame member 9 and. resultant tripping of the latch 182 by the hook 188, rotation of the shaft 161 and the gear 172 upon the sege mental gear 17 3, the nippers seizing the completed counter before it is' wholly released by the pressers 2 and 3. Upon complete release of the counter following the outward swinging of the mold parts 2 and 3 around the pivot hinge 51 as downward by its arm 56, see Fig. 3, connectedto the movable frame 8, the springs 60 acting upon the pivot struts 181:0 aid such clearance of the counter, the nipper arm 160 is drawn down by the link 178, withdrawing the counter and discharging it at or about the position shown in Fig. 2, the impetus given by this throw of the nippers being ordinarily sufficient to cause the counter to clear instant the latter are released by engagement of the dog 167 with the stop 171 This completes the cycle of operations of the machine, which -is now again in the position to transfer a counter blank for treatment.

Having illustrated and described our improvements thus fully, and one form of suit+ able mechanism in which the invention may be carried into effectpconvepiently, we do not limit ourselves to the speci'fic constriiction and material shown and described, nor in general otherwise than as set forth in the claims read in connection with this specification.

Having described our invention, what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is zthe latter is drawn itself from the nippers at' the ticles of the class described as molding or pressing partly molded shoe counters; said apparatus comprising mechanism for tree ing said articles, including male and female compresslng devices and means to cause relative .motion thereof for compression of the blanks; a supply hopper constructed and arranged to contain a number of counter blanks curved in approximately final form;

and mechanism'to' transfer said blanks to' said compressing mechanism.

2. Apparatus of the class described, comprising mechanism to receive and treat articles of the class described, such as counters for shoes; means to receive and retain a supply of counter blanks; a form; a pair of compressing jaws; means for causing relative compressing movements of said form and jaws, acting to institute molding engagement at the heel portion of the counter, and to move the inner portions of said jaws toward the form to thereby compress the blank'from the middle toward its ends; and mechanism to transfer said blanks to and from said molding mechanism.

3. A machine for molding articles of the class described, such as counters for the heels of shoes; said machine comprising a form, a pair of compressing jaws; means for causing relative compressing movements ofsaid form and jaws, acting to institute molding engagement at the heel portion of the counter, and to move the inner portions of said jaws toward said form to thereby compress the blank from the middle toward its ends.

4. Apparatus of the class described; comprising mechanlsm to treat such articles as shoe counters, including a form; a pair of compressing jaws having rocking engaging faces near their outer ends; means to rock said jaws about said faces and means to cause relative movements of said jau's and form to institute molding engagement with the blank progressively from the heel to its ends.

5. Mechanism for transferring. from a supply in quantity, blanks for such articles as shoe counters, for individual treatment by suitable treating mechanism, said transfer mechanism comprising a transfer head having means to hold a blank; a transfer device to operate said transfer head, said device including a cam mounted upon a rock-shaft having a transfer arm on which said transfer head is mounted, and a plunger having means to be engaged operativ'ely with said cam; and means to actuate said plunger to operate said cam, shaft and arm to move said transfer head into position to withdraw a blank from said supply and transfer said blank into position for treatment.

6. In a device for transferring sach articles as shoe counter-blanks, from asupply in quantity, for treatment by suitable treating mechanism; a transfer device, and means to operate said device, said means comprising a cam having an operating groove and a return groove connected at a plurality of points; a plunger movable parallel to the axis of said cam; a block movable co-aXially upon a shaft parallel with said plunger and cam, said block having means to enter said grooves opera tively and having also a collar mounted slidingly on said plunger; springs on said plunger to,

maintain said collar yieldingly in adjusted position on said plunger; and a wedge linked to said plunger for operation thereby and connected removably with said block; said plunger acting, upon reciprocapart its connection with said block if said parts are subjected to undue strain.

7. Atransfer-head for apparatus to mold partly-molded counters, said transfer-head comprising a plurality. of clamping members, and means to support said members in position to be engaged automatically with said partly molded counters to grasp said counters and support them bodily during said transfer. v

8. A transfer-head for apparatus tomold partly molded counters, said transfer-head comprising a plurality of cla'mping members, and means to support said members in position to be engaged automatically with a partly molded counter; one of said members having a movement relatively to another of said members to clamp said article therebetween, and support said article bodily during transfer.

9. A transfer-head of the class described; said transfer-head comprising a support or body portion; a clamping member and means to secure the same in adjusted .position extending substantially in the direction of movement of said transfer-head; a finger-block mounted movably on said body portion; and a lever to move said block into engagement with a blank to clamp it againstsaid clamping member.

10. A transfer-head of the class described;

said transfer-head comprising a support or body portion; a plurality of slotted clamping members secured adjustably to said body portion; a lever mounted on said support; a plurality of finger members articulated to said lever adjacent to said clamping members; and means acting normally to p. said finger members toward said clampi members.

11. Supply and transfer mechanism fer apparatus to treat articles of the class de scribed, suchas shoe-counters; said mechanism comprising means to support rality ofbla'nks in position to be en aged andtransferre'd; a transfer head movable toward and away from said supply, to be engaged with, and to withdraw said blanks, said transfer head having a plurality of clamping members, one of which is movable, and means tending normally to clamp said movable member to another of said clamping members; means to separate said clamping members when near said supply for the reception of a blank, said separating means releasing said clamping members to permit them to clamp said blank near the commencement of the transfer movement of said head.

12. Supply and transfer mechanism for apparatus to treat articles of the class described,-such is partly formed shoe counters; said mechanism comprising a hopper to contain a supply of blanks curved transversely into approximately final contour; means to retain said blanks in said hopper and means to release them; means to move each freed blank into position for transfer;-

and a transfer device to be engaged with, and to transfer, said blanks.

13. Supply and transfer mechanism for apparatus to treat articles of the class described, such shoe counters; said mechanism comprising a hopper having a chute to receive a supply of blanks curved transversely into approximately final contour; means to press said blanks toward the delivery end of said chute; latch to control the exit of said blanks; and means to operate said latch to release said blanks successively.

14,-. A supplyhopper for counter blanks of the class having a marginal notch at the base of the heel portion; said hopper having a. feed-chute provided with a portion to enter said notches in the respective blanks and control their position during the sup ply movements of said blanks, and feeding mechanism to cause supply movements of said blanks along said chute.

15. Supply and transfer mechanism for apparatus to treat articles of the class de scribed, such as shoe counters; said mechanism comprising a. hopper having a feed chute to receive blanks; a latch to control the exit of said blanks, and means to hold said latch in position to retain said blanks insaid chute; a level-movable to engage and withdraw said latch to permit exit of said blanks; a doctor device movable by said lever to f rce said blanks respectively, when freed, into position for transfer;

tr nsfer said blu .lt Supply me inism for apparatus to treat articles of the c s 'cribed, such as shoe counters: said nit-c coa hopper hav a feed chu nested relation, heels upwai ing marginal notches at the her-l base, and a device in said chutetolie in said notches, being engaged with the walls of sai notches to retard feeding movement of said blanksa latch in position beneath the upper heel margins of said blanks to support said n of blanks, said latch having an operating portion; a lever mounted pivotally adjacent to said chute and having a medial swinging latclroperating dog, and a swinging blankengaging doctor near its free-end; means tending normally to swing said lever through its latch-operating path to snap said latch for the discharge of a blank, permitting return of said latch to retain the remainingblanks; a device to operate said lever to engage said doctor with said freed blank, to move the latter into position for transfer; and a transfer device to be engaged with said freed blank to transfer the same, said transfer device being constructed and arranged to be engaged with and to actuate said doctoi' ope'ating device preliminary to each transfer operation.

17. Supply and transfer mechanism for apparatus to treat articles of the class described; said mechanism comprising a receptacle to contain a supply of blanks; a guide; a transfer arm; and means to support supply receptacle, and guide re spectivelv; the free end of said transferarm being forkbd; and a transfeuhead carried b a slide movable on said forked end, and provided with a skid to engage said guide; a spring to force said skid into en gagement with said guide, and a screw and slot stop to limit the action of said spring when said skid swings away from said guide.

18. A. 'olding mechanism for apparatus of the class having a form and presscr devices to mold an article of the class de scribed. such as a counter for a shoe, upon said form; said mechanism comprising means to support said presser devices loosely; means to force said devices into molding position: and means to cause reladevices independent of the actuation of said devices by said forcing means.

19. .ln a machine for molding an article of the class described. such as a counter for shoes; :1 form and presser devices constructed and arranged to receive and work said article between them; and means to cuusc kneading movement of said form and do vices relativelv to each other.

20. In a machine for treating artic es of the class described, as for molding or pressing shoe counters; a main supporting frame, a movable swing frame carrying-a form to receive the article to be treated; female presser devices to be engaged with said article to press it'upon' said form; means to support said female presser devices loosely in juxtaposition to said form; means to be engaged with said female presser devices to operate the same; and actuating mechanism to move said form and operating means into operative position kneadingly.

21. In a machine for treating articles of the class described, as for molding or pressing shoe counters a main supporting frame; a movable swing frame carrying a form to receive the article to be treated; female presser devices to be engaged with said article to press it upon said form; means to support said female presser devices loosely in juxtaposition to said form; means to be engaged with said female presser-devices to operate the same; and actuating mechanism to move said form and operating means into operative position kneadingly, said actuatingmechanism comprising a bellcrank lever mounted pivotally on said main frame, and having one arm connected with said swing frame, said lever having also a slideway arm; a slide on said slideway arm; and means to move said slide to oscillate said slideway arm and reciprocate said lever, movable frame and its connected parts, to work said article under treatment kneadingly.

22. Apparatus for treating articles of the class described, as for moldingor pressing shoe counters; said apparatus comprising a main supporting frame; a movable frame mounted pivotally on arms upon said main frame; a form carried by said movable frame, to receive the article to be treated; female presser devices mounted loosely upon said main frame in position to be engaged with the article on said form, including a wiper device mounted slidingly adjacent said form; operating devices mounted slidingly on-said movable frame in position to engage said presser devices yieldingly upon operative movement of said movable frame; and means to actuate said movable frame to work said article kneadingly between said form and said presser and wiper devices.

23. Apparatus for treating articles of the class described; as for molding or pressing shoe counters; said apparatus comprising treating mechanism, including a movable frame and a form mounted thereon to receive the article to be treated; a rock-shaft provided with a pinion, and an arm mounted on, and to rotate with, said shaft, said arm having near its free end a nipper device to grasp and remove said article when said arm is swung toward and away from said article in place on said form; a lever provided with a pinion intermeshing with the pinion on said nipper shaft; operating connection from said movable frame to said treating'the same by pressure on a form; said device comprising an operating arm 1 and a plurality of nippers carried thereby,

one of said nippersbeing mounted rotatably such as shoe co'unters from mechanism for in position to be engaged with said form by operation of said arm, entering beneath said article thereon, clamping said article to another of said nippers, and withdrawing said arti'cle when said arm is swung away from said form. 1

25. A nipper device for removing articles such as shoe counters from mechanism for treating the same by pressure on a form;

said device comprising an operating arm and a pluralityof nippers carried thereby, one of said nippers being mounted rotatably in position to be engaged with said form by operation of said arm; entering beneath said article thereon, clamping said article to another of said nippers, and withdrawing said article, when said arm is swung away from said form and means to hold said nipper in open and closed positions, respectively.

. 0 26. Apparatus for molding articles of the class described, such as counters for the heels of shoes; said apparatus comprising a hopper to receive a supply of blanks; presser devices to mold said blanks; a swinging transfer arm having a transfer head. pro

vided with means to. seize said blanks serz'ate'm and hold them during transfer to said .presser devices; means to operate said arm and seizing devices; and nipper mechanism to grasp each of said articles and withdraw it from said presser devices after treatment.

2'7. Apparatus for molding or pressing such articles as shoe counters; said apparatus comprising presser mechanism, includ ing a form to receive the article to be treated, and presser devices to work said article on said form: supply and transfer mechanism including a receptacle for blanks and a transfer head carried by a transfer arm toreceive said blanks from said supply and. emplace them respectively in said presser mechanism for treatment; withdrawing mechanism, including an arm provided with nippers to withdraw said article, after treatment, from said presser mechanism; and actuating mechanism,.including an actuating shaft, a-movable' frame connected. opcratively with said form and nipper device, and provided with means to engage certain of said presser devices operatively,

a bell crank lever connected with said movable frame and having 'a slide arm, a slide on said arm, and'co'nnections to permit actuation of said slide by said shaft, and gears operated also by said shaft and connected by a crank pin and'pitman with one of said presser device's to actuate the latter. 28. In a machine of the class described; mechanism for working the article to be treated; a nipper arm having a nipper device constructed'and arranged to grasp said article positively and draw it from said working mechanism 'and means to open said v nipper device during the throw of said arm to release said article for discharge with an impetus assuring clearance from said nipper.

29. In a nipper device of the class described; nipper members; va device to hold said members positively in'nipping relation;. means tending normally to move said 20 device into holding engagement with one of said nipper members; and means to open LEWIS J. BAZZONI. JOHN J. GILLESPIE.

.Witnesses to the signature of Lewis J. Bazzoni:

' CHEsTnR EUGENE ROGERS,

LEONARD MATTHEW JOHNSON. Witnesses to the signature of John J. Gillespie: 1 BERNARD BARROWS,

ALLAN H. BARROWSL whereof we have signed our 25 

